'"Mike provided our team with tremendous leadership after acquiring him late last season," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said. "He supplied us with a physical presence and veteran leadership that will help our young team develop, and we look forward to having him for a full season."'

I have them, I just don’t notice them. I think I probably tape my socks the same way or put on one skate before the other, but I don’t think I have to do it before every game. That’s just the way I do it. It is more of a routine than a ritual.

'The union employs about 125 people per Sabres game or concert. That includes 16 ticket takers, 100 ushers and nine doormen. "The big thing is there were no job cuts and that was something that was extremely important to us," said Pat Fitzgerald, Local 200 president.'

'Everybody tried on the new pads and none of them liked them. Biron said, "After we put the pads on we found out they are not safe at all." He added, "you could tell that if you were looking straight on at the shooter, you'd have part of your leg exposed on either side. As a goalie, I'm excited they aren't going to change anything." Biron said, "They should back up the net and try to create more scoring chances. That's the way to go."'

'I would expect Campbell, Fitzpatrick and Noronen to come to terms before thier hearings. I don't see what they'll gain from their qualifying offers which would've given them a 10-percent raise. Those offers are now off the table.'

'Seven games on the home schedule have been labeled as "Gold" under the new variable ticket pricing format. Gold games include all three home dates against the Toronto Maple Leafs – on Nov. 15, Dec. 13 and Feb. 1. Other Gold games will be Friday, Nov. 26 against Montreal, Sunday, Dec. 26 against the New York Rangers, Friday, March 11 against the Ottawa Senators, and the home finale against the Canadiens.'

'Golisano and managing partner Larry Quinn wouldn't put odds on the chance of lockout. “It's not for me to say or speculate,” Golisano said. “I think the players want to play and the owners want to play.”'